This overview is compiled from incidents reported to the Office of Border Patrol and is not intended to reflect all Border Patrol enforcement actions. Most arrests and seizures fail to meet the requirements for mandatory reporting to the Office of Border Patrol.

Reported on October 23, 2008

Rio Grande Valley Sector - Border Patrol agents seized 473 pounds of cocaine valued at $15,136,000, a 1999 Kenworth tractor-trailer, and arrested a United States Citizen (USC) at the Falfurrias, Texas traffic checkpoint. The driver presented himself and the tractor-trailer for inspection and a Border Patrol canine alerted to the trailer. A subsequent inspection of the trailer revealed the bundled cocaine hidden in prepackaged boxes of cabbage.

Rio Grande Valley Sector - Border Patrol agents seized 6,885 pounds of marijuana valued at $5,508,400 and a 2000 Freightliner tractor-trailer north of the Falfurrias, Texas traffic checkpoint. The driver presented himself and the tractor-trailer for inspection at the checkpoint and a Border Patrol canine alerted to the trailer. When directed into the secondary inspection area, the driver failed to stop and fled from the checkpoint. Agents found the vehicle abandoned approximately two miles north of the checkpoint and discovered the marijuana in the vehicle.

Rio Grande Valley Sector - Border Patrol agents seized 2,190 pounds of marijuana valued at $1,752,720, a 1993 Chevrolet van, and arrested a USC near Donna, Texas. Agents attempted to conduct a vehicle stop on the van, but the subject failed to yield and sped away at a high rate of speed. Agents located the subject and the van shortly thereafter, and discovered the marijuana in the van.

Reported on October 24, 2008

Laredo Sector - Border Patrol agents seized 1,018 pounds of marijuana valued at $814,720 and an abandoned 2005 Chevrolet truck near Bruni, Texas. A Border Patrol canine alerted to the truck and further inspection revealed the marijuana inside the cab and hidden in a metal toolbox.

El Centro Sector - Authorities discovered a tunnel south of the international border approximately two miles west of Calexico, California. The tunnel runs from a home in Mexico to the All American Canal in the United States. Several law enforcement agencies responded and secured the tunnel.

Rio Grande Valley Sector - Border Patrol agents rescued an individual from the Rio Grande River near Brownsville, Texas. Agents pulled the subject from the river and performed first aid until emergency medical services arrived and transported the subject to a local hospital for treatment.

Reported on October 26, 2008

El Paso Sector - Border Patrol agents arrested an illegal alien from Mexico near Lordsburg, New Mexico. Records checks revealed that the subject was previously deported from the United States as an aggravated felon following convictions of kidnapping for ransom and sexual assault.

Tucson Sector - Border Patrol agents reported that an unidentified narcotics smuggler attempted to run over an agent near Lukeville, Arizona. Agents responded to a report of a suspicious vehicle and encountered a 2003 GMC Yukon bearing fictitious license plates. The driver turned the vehicle around after seeing the agents and traveled back south at a high rate of speed. An agent was preparing to deploy a controlled tire deflation device, when the driver accelerated and swerved in an attempt to hit the agent. The vehicle continued south into Mexico where the occupants abandoned the vehicle and fled.

Tucson Sector - Border Patrol agents discovered and secured a tunnel near Nogales, Arizona. The tunnel was determined to be north of the international border fence, and under the Interstate 19 off-ramp. Out of concern for public safety, the tunnel was filled in with concrete.

Rio Grande Valley Sector - Border Patrol agents observed an unidentified subject load suspected contraband into a vehicle near Brownsville, Texas. As agents converged on the vehicle, the driver turned the vehicle around and drove into the Rio Grande River, submerging the vehicle. The subject then swam across the river to Mexico.

Reported on October 27, 2008

El Centro Sector - Border Patrol agents arrested an illegal alien from Mexico near Desert Center, California. Records checks revealed the subject was wanted in Arizona as a suspect in a homicide investigation.

Del Rio Sector - Border Patrol agents arrested an illegal alien from Honduras near Eagle Pass, Texas. During processing, the subject admitted to being a member of the Mara Salvatrucha 13 gang. Records checks revealed the subject had an active warrant for his arrest issued in Bexar County, Texas.

Laredo Sector - A Border Patrol agent was assaulted by an illegal alien from Mexico when the agent attempted to arrest a group of illegal aliens near Laredo, Texas. During the arrest, the subject pushed the agent and attempted to take the agent to the ground. The agent was able to subdue the illegal alien and placed him into custody.

Reported on October 28, 2008

El Paso Sector - Border Patrol agents rescued two illegal aliens, a child and an adult relative, from the American Canal near El Paso, Texas.

Rio Grande Valley Sector - Border Patrol agents arrested an illegal alien from El Salvador in Brownsville, Texas. The subject was identified as a member of the Mara Salvatrucha 13 gang and had been previously removed from the United States.

Rio Grande Valley Sector - Border Patrol agents seized 2,042 pounds of marijuana valued at $1,633,600, and recovered a stolen 2004 Dodge truck and a stolen 2005 Dodge truck near Granjeno, Texas. The drivers of the trucks began heading toward the Rio Grande River upon seeing agents in marked Border Patrol vehicles. One vehicle was found at the riverbank and the other was found submerged in the river. Both of the vehicles contained bundles of marijuana.

San Diego Sector - Border Patrol agents arrested a USC near Pine Valley, California. Records checks revealed the subject had an active warrant for his arrest issued in Riverside, California and was a suspect in a homicide investigation.

Rio Grande Valley Sector - Border Patrol agents performed a vehicle stop resulting in the seizure of 61 pounds of cocaine valued at $19,552,000, and the arrest of two Mexican nationals near Sullivan City, Texas.

Tucson Sector - Border Patrol agents arrested an illegal alien from Mexico near Nogales, Arizona. Records checks revealed the subject was previously removed from the United States. The subject also was convicted of sexual assault/sodomy, and had a warrant of arrest for probation violation in Santa Cruz County, Arizona.